Clemsen Clinic Brings More than 70 Wrestlers to Broad Run

UVA Coach Focuses On Footwork and Creating Offensive Attacks
Written by Special Correspondent Jessica DiNovo

     On Wednesday, October 17th, the Broad Run High School wrestling team hosted Virginia Wrestling Coach Alex Clemsen for a clinic for all people interested in joining wrestling, pursuing wrestling, or to just get in some extra practice before the season starts. The clinic started as most would with some warm up laps around the gym, and then directly into the instruction. The boys came into a semicircle and Coach Clemsen began to demonstrate the Virginia Way; the techniques used as the base of the Virginia Wrestling program.

     The focus of the day was proper stance and positioning, as well as how to properly create and attack from an offensive position.  Once a move was demonstrated, the group was released to practice them on their own.  Some of the best information passed on from Clemsen came from exactly HOW to get the person into the position desired; a common issue passed over by coaches and wrestlers alike.  This came from Clemsen's focus on 'moving the opponent' and 'preparing for the reaction.'  By understanding WHERE the opponent will be, the offensive opportunities don't necessarily increase, but the effectiveness of completing the attack does, and that, according to Clemsen is the main goal for a high school wrestler.

     After about an hour on their feet, Clemsen took to the mat to focus on the simplicity of top and bottom wrestling.  From the bottom, the focus was the constant knee slide; getting a wide base and hands free to fight the opponents' grip.  On top, Clemsen promoted the thigh pry with hip pressure to create pressure on the opponents' hands, followed by working to a tight waist and controlling a wrist.  Whatever the move, Clemsen focused on a message of explosive, but smart movements from the bottom, and a 5 point control system from the top.  Those 5 points were the hips, legs, and both arms being controlled by the top man's head, legs and hips.

    Overall the boys had an enriching wrestling experience. They learned new moves, improved on old ones, and perfected their techniques. The clinic was a great work out and learning experience for the guys and above all, a fantastic way to start off the 2012-2013 wrestling season.